0:00:02 > 0:00:04This largely rural river is relatively unaffected by pollution
0:00:04 > 0:00:06and home to more than 30 species of fish.
0:00:06 > 0:00:10Parts of the waterway also form a very unique boundary.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12Find out which river it is
0:00:12 > 0:00:14and exactly where I am, in just a moment.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37Today, our search for a country home scores full marks from him...
0:00:37 > 0:00:40- Ten out of ten so far. - I like that!- Yeah.- Wow.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44..and it also pulls on her heartstrings.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46- Are you OK? TEARFULLY:- Yeah...
0:00:46 > 0:00:48THEY LAUGH
0:00:48 > 0:00:50It's good when you find somewhere you love.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52It's so moving.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58Today, we're in the southern Welsh Borders and I'm on the River Wye,
0:00:58 > 0:01:02a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Conservation.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06The river begins its journey in the moorlands of central Wales before
0:01:06 > 0:01:10travelling over 100 miles through Powys and Herefordshire before
0:01:10 > 0:01:14ending up at the mouth of Gloucestershire's Severn estuary.
0:01:14 > 0:01:18Now, on this side of the river, we have England and on this side,
0:01:18 > 0:01:22we have Wales making this point of the River Wye
0:01:22 > 0:01:24a perfect natural boundary.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30Today, we're in the southern section of the Welsh Borders,
0:01:30 > 0:01:34taking in the English counties of Herefordshire and Gloucestershire
0:01:34 > 0:01:36along with the Welsh county of Monmouthshire.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39Once a hunting ground for Tudor kings,
0:01:39 > 0:01:43Gloucestershire's splendid Forest of Dean is now home to the country's
0:01:43 > 0:01:45largest area of mature oak,
0:01:45 > 0:01:49thanks to Lord Nelson who had 30 million acorns planted
0:01:49 > 0:01:53due to his concerns about the need for timber for shipbuilding.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57The tranquil outlook of the River Wye at Brockweir belies its past
0:01:57 > 0:01:59as a busy shipping centre.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03The quay here was the last tidal stop for boats travelling upriver.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07After which, large vessels would have to transfer their cargo to
0:02:07 > 0:02:13smaller, shallower barges which were then hauled onwards by teams of men.
0:02:13 > 0:02:15And at the market town of Monmouth,
0:02:15 > 0:02:18the River Wye meets with two other waterways.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22Over the River Mono sits the only surviving fortified medieval bridge
0:02:22 > 0:02:25in Britain, built in the late 13th century
0:02:25 > 0:02:28with a gatehouse added as part of the town's defences
0:02:28 > 0:02:30in the 14th century.
0:02:30 > 0:02:35It was also in the 14th century that Henry V was born in the town's
0:02:35 > 0:02:39castle, immortalised by his campaigns against the French
0:02:39 > 0:02:41including a remarkable victory at Agincourt.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44He remained known as Harry of Monmouth
0:02:44 > 0:02:48and is considered by some to be the country's greatest ever monarch.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51So whether you're interested in legendary leaders,
0:02:51 > 0:02:53lush valleys or ancient woodlands,
0:02:53 > 0:02:57the Welsh Borders is a fantastic region to head to.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01As well as some stunning countryside,
0:03:01 > 0:03:04this part of the UK offers some very attractive property stock.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08Do bear in mind, if you're after a Gloucestershire postcode,
0:03:08 > 0:03:13the price of a detached house here on average is £26,000
0:03:13 > 0:03:14below the national figure.
0:03:14 > 0:03:18Across the border into Herefordshire and the price drops,
0:03:18 > 0:03:21it's 30,000 below the national average.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24And if you want even more for your property pound,
0:03:24 > 0:03:27then head into Monmouthshire, where you get the biggest bargains.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29So what about today's buyers?
0:03:29 > 0:03:31Which corner of this gorgeous countryside
0:03:31 > 0:03:33are they looking to call home?
0:03:33 > 0:03:35Let's meet them and find out.
0:03:35 > 0:03:40Peter and Karen from the outskirts of the city of Bristol first met at
0:03:40 > 0:03:42their local pub as teenagers.
0:03:42 > 0:03:47I was only 16 and Pete was 18 and I just looked across the bar
0:03:47 > 0:03:51and he was by a snooker table and I remember thinking,
0:03:51 > 0:03:53"God, he's so quiet and lovely."
0:03:53 > 0:03:56I think it was love at first sight.
0:03:56 > 0:04:01I had to get him round a bit, he never noticed me, like I'd seen him.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04- I fell.- Oh, did you?
0:04:04 > 0:04:10The pair went on to marry and now have three sons and four grandchildren.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12Karen stayed at home looking after the family
0:04:12 > 0:04:15whilst Peter set up his own plumbing business.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17And although they've seen big life changes,
0:04:17 > 0:04:19they've never moved very far from the spot
0:04:19 > 0:04:22of their Bristolian teenage rendezvous.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26I've lived in Bristol 61 years
0:04:26 > 0:04:28and from the house we're in now,
0:04:28 > 0:04:31I've never moved any more than four miles away
0:04:31 > 0:04:35and we've moved about seven times.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39They may not have gone far, but Bristol has certainly moved on.
0:04:39 > 0:04:44It's just going mad. And it's a really big city now and it only going to get bigger.
0:04:44 > 0:04:49Noisy, constant noise, haven't we, from the traffic?
0:04:49 > 0:04:52Just a constant droning of the motorway, the M4,
0:04:52 > 0:04:56and of course next to that, you've got the ring road.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59There's literally hundreds of cars, isn't it,
0:04:59 > 0:05:02- come past here in the mornings? - Yeah.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05Peter is looking to cut down on his plumbing work and they're both
0:05:05 > 0:05:09looking for a bit more peace and quiet so they have decided to change
0:05:09 > 0:05:13the habit of a lifetime and finally move away from Bristol.
0:05:13 > 0:05:17The place we are looking to move to is the Welsh Borders
0:05:17 > 0:05:21and we really like Ross-on-Wye and sort of Monmouth way.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24It's got it all, in a small area,
0:05:24 > 0:05:29and we can still come back and see our family so it's just perfect,
0:05:29 > 0:05:34- isn't it?- We love the Welsh Borders because we went to Ross-on-Wye last
0:05:34 > 0:05:39year on my 60th with our children and grandchildren and we done kayaking
0:05:39 > 0:05:43down the River Wye because if we do go there,
0:05:43 > 0:05:46we probably will buy some kayaks, won't we?
0:05:46 > 0:05:47Yeah.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49As well as taking up kayaking,
0:05:49 > 0:05:53they're hoping for a new rural lease of life for the other interests.
0:05:53 > 0:05:57We've always cycled, we love it, absolutely love it.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01Every Sunday, we go out for about ten or 15 mile ride.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04Our cycle rides around here aren't very nice, are they, really?
0:06:04 > 0:06:07- No.- So it'll be nice to go somewhere and do a different route.
0:06:07 > 0:06:11My main hobby is gardening, it always has been.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13I am never happier than if I am out pottering around.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16Very big part of my life, gardening.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19And I feel as though we'll be able to design a new garden that we'll
0:06:19 > 0:06:22enjoy as much as this one, won't we?
0:06:22 > 0:06:24We're really excited about moving, the next chapter in our lives,
0:06:24 > 0:06:26we can't wait.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34Peter and Karen are open to living anywhere in the Welsh Borders
0:06:34 > 0:06:37with good road links back to Bristol for family,
0:06:37 > 0:06:40friends and Peter's plumbing business.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42But before we start looking at houses,
0:06:42 > 0:06:47I'm meeting them in their chosen region to find out more about what they want from their move.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50Karen, Peter, lovely to see you.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52- Hello!- Welcome to the southern Welsh Borders.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55What attracted you to this gorgeous part of the world?
0:06:55 > 0:06:58It's just heaven on earth but like 50 miles from where we're living
0:06:58 > 0:07:01now so what could be better?
0:07:01 > 0:07:06It's part of our plan to downsize and start enjoying ourselves
0:07:06 > 0:07:08and doing something that we want to do.
0:07:08 > 0:07:12And, Peter, I understand there's some urgency in the move?
0:07:12 > 0:07:16Yeah. We've sold our house and we have got to be out in three,
0:07:16 > 0:07:20- four weeks' time.- Yeah.- And what kind of property are we looking for?
0:07:20 > 0:07:22Detached, probably with nice views.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25We don't mind a challenge to a house.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28- No.- If we are busy doing something then we are at our best, aren't we?
0:07:28 > 0:07:31- How many bedrooms would you like? - Three.- Three. Yeah.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34- No more, no less. - No.- So three-bedroom property.
0:07:34 > 0:07:38- Yeah.- Maybe a bit of a project. - Yeah.- Could be, yes.- Garden size?
0:07:38 > 0:07:39What would you like to see there?
0:07:39 > 0:07:42I'm looking for about an acre.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45If it is a blank canvas and I can do something with it,
0:07:45 > 0:07:46that would be all the better.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49And the style of property, is that important to you?
0:07:49 > 0:07:51We don't like brick faced houses.
0:07:51 > 0:07:56- No.- And we don't like low ceilings, dark beams.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59Nothing when the floors all wonky, we like character.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02But then again, we wouldn't mind a brand-new house.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04- You know, we're quite flexible, aren't we?- Yeah.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06What about the views surrounding this property?
0:08:06 > 0:08:09- How important are they?- Very important.- Yeah, very important.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13We live on top of a hill now so we're used to views.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16And, Peter, what about the commute because you're still going to be
0:08:16 > 0:08:19- working?- Yeah. I will be travelling back to Bristol.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22- What kind of distance would you like?- 40 to 50 miles.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25- Yeah.- And what's your budget for this move?
0:08:25 > 0:08:28Well, we can stretch to 500,000.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32- Yeah, yeah.- But if it needs work doing,
0:08:32 > 0:08:34it is going to have to be like 450.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38We've only got a few weeks to get you moved so let's get searching.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40- Come on.- Yeah.- Let's not waste any time.
0:08:42 > 0:08:46For a maximum purchase price of £500,000,
0:08:46 > 0:08:49Karen and Peter would like a detached property
0:08:49 > 0:08:51with three bedrooms and a good-sized garden
0:08:51 > 0:08:54that's within commuting distance of Bristol.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57They'd like some views and are happy to take on some work
0:08:57 > 0:08:59if the price is right.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03We have three incredible houses lined up to show them and at each,
0:09:03 > 0:09:06they'll be getting the asking price before I reveal it.
0:09:06 > 0:09:11The final tour will be our Mystery House which will give them a surprising
0:09:11 > 0:09:13twist to their wish list.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20We're starting our Welsh Borders search in Llangarron,
0:09:20 > 0:09:23a small village in the English county of Herefordshire.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27The large village of Whitchurch is around a six mile drive away
0:09:27 > 0:09:30and has an historic inn serving food,
0:09:30 > 0:09:33as well as a village store with coffee shop.
0:09:33 > 0:09:37There's also a garden themed cafe and an intriguing clocktower
0:09:37 > 0:09:40built in Victorian times by Amelia Panter
0:09:40 > 0:09:44to commemorate her siblings and serve the local community.
0:09:44 > 0:09:45But back in Llangarron,
0:09:45 > 0:09:48along from the church down a peaceful lane
0:09:48 > 0:09:52is the house we've come to see.
0:09:52 > 0:09:57Karen, Peter. Here we are, property one.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59Fabulous cottage.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01Wraparound garden.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04- Initial thoughts? - Very nice.- Yeah.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08- So far so good.- Beautiful, yeah. - Ten out of ten so far.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10- Oh, I like that.- Yeah.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12- Wow.- Ten of ten so far?
0:10:12 > 0:10:15- Ten out of ten. - Yeah. Come on, I can't wait!
0:10:15 > 0:10:17Come on, let's get in there, you can't wait, can you?
0:10:17 > 0:10:22Thought to date from the early 1900s and built from local stone
0:10:22 > 0:10:23with a Welsh slate roof,
0:10:23 > 0:10:26the stable-style front door opens into a very welcoming,
0:10:26 > 0:10:29bright and airy kitchen.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31In you come.
0:10:31 > 0:10:32THEY GASP
0:10:32 > 0:10:34My God.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38Is this how you would have your kitchen, this kind of...?
0:10:38 > 0:10:40Yeah, our kitchen is this colour.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42And the worktops are beautiful.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45You wouldn't need to do a thing with this, this is our colours.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48This hard floor, it's similar to what we've got in our kitchen.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51- So you're feeling quite at home here?- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54- You can't fault it at all. - The size is perfect.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57- Yeah.- It's homely, it's got character,
0:10:57 > 0:10:59it's just the right size.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03The kitchen is a part of the original cottage.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07What we can see just behind the kitchen, the sunroom,
0:11:07 > 0:11:09that was added on by the current owner about three years ago.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11I know you love that light...
0:11:11 > 0:11:13- Yeah.- ..airy feel. - Yeah, very important.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16- Yeah.- And then just to the left of the kitchen here,
0:11:16 > 0:11:20you've got an additional shower room which the current owner put in
0:11:20 > 0:11:23and also a boot room area, utility too.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26Peter, you gave the house ten out of ten before we walked in,
0:11:26 > 0:11:28- are we still at a ten?- Definitely.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30- Yeah.- OK, great, well, there's much more to see.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34- Let me take you through to the living room next.- Right.- Yeah.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38Peter and Karen are feeling right at home already.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41And tucked under the stairs there's also a useful enclosed pantry,
0:11:41 > 0:11:45whilst next to the kitchen is the largest reception room.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49And this room wraps round into that sunroom.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53So you've got that kind of open-plan but then that feeling of this nice
0:11:53 > 0:11:56- snug space to come in the evening. - Yeah, it is.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59- Look at the thick depths of the windows.- Yeah.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02The garden hugs the house, every window has a view.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06- Really interesting.- Either your garden or the fields behind.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10- So smiles all round? BOTH:- Yeah.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12Well, there are parts of the property that could be a project for
0:12:12 > 0:12:14you because I know you wanted that so,
0:12:14 > 0:12:17yeah, we've thought of that too.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19See, if you move in and it's all up together,
0:12:19 > 0:12:21we'll probably be bored to tears.
0:12:21 > 0:12:25So if there is something that you're saying that we could do,
0:12:25 > 0:12:27which we don't know what it is going to be...
0:12:27 > 0:12:29Well, we'll get to the project in a moment.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32- Yeah.- But before we do that, let's have a look upstairs.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36- Yeah.- Let me show you the three bedrooms that we have got to take a look at.- Yeah.- OK.
0:12:36 > 0:12:40Well, you can't do better than ten out of ten so let's see if we can
0:12:40 > 0:12:45retain those full marks as we head upstairs where a family bathroom serves
0:12:45 > 0:12:49all three bedrooms, starting with the room to the rear of the property,
0:12:49 > 0:12:53large enough for a double bed with a window to one side looking out
0:12:53 > 0:12:55towards rolling hills.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58To the front of the property, the smallest of the bedrooms
0:12:58 > 0:13:01is currently a nursery which leaves the third
0:13:01 > 0:13:04bedroom, a large double.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07- Yeah.- Is that a good... - Yeah. Yeah.
0:13:07 > 0:13:08THEY LAUGH
0:13:08 > 0:13:11- Nice size.- Yeah. - Three windows in here as well!
0:13:11 > 0:13:13It's filled with light and you've got the views as well
0:13:13 > 0:13:15which I know you were craving.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18Yeah. It is got such a lovely feel about it.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20It's like move in, isn't it?
0:13:20 > 0:13:22- Yeah.- So thumbs up all round?
0:13:22 > 0:13:24- Yeah.- We're still at a ten?
0:13:24 > 0:13:28Yeah. And I haven't even shown you that little project
0:13:28 > 0:13:29- that you can work on as well.- Yeah.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32- Yeah, OK, let's head out into the garden.- All right.- Fine.
0:13:36 > 0:13:37Heading out by the side door,
0:13:37 > 0:13:41it's possible to really appreciate that garden room outlook
0:13:41 > 0:13:44and the rear section of the mature wraparound garden.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46Backing onto open countryside,
0:13:46 > 0:13:49it totals just under three quarters of an acre,
0:13:49 > 0:13:53plus I can now reveal this already top scoring property comes
0:13:53 > 0:13:56with a bonus of three former stable blocks,
0:13:56 > 0:13:59two of which are ripe for refurbishment and the third
0:13:59 > 0:14:04which has been beautifully finished as a home office and music room.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06Oh, for goodness' sake!
0:14:06 > 0:14:08Oh, my God, Pete.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12Well, you've got three outbuildings like this but I thought
0:14:12 > 0:14:14with the other two, you wanted that project,
0:14:14 > 0:14:16what could you turn the other two into?
0:14:16 > 0:14:19That could become bedrooms for family, friends
0:14:19 > 0:14:21- when they come to stay.- Yeah!
0:14:21 > 0:14:23You know, lovely little places for the grandchildren
0:14:23 > 0:14:25to build up those wonderful memories.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28- I wasn't expecting this. - No. Oh, this is amazing.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32To have this quality in an outhouse and look at that beam!
0:14:32 > 0:14:35This is the original beam, they've stripped back the cedar beams.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37This is absolutely fantastic.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39- Yeah.- It really is.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41I never thought, ever...
0:14:41 > 0:14:45- No.- That they would have this extra space?
0:14:46 > 0:14:48- Are you OK?- Yeah.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50THEY LAUGH
0:14:50 > 0:14:53Oh, Karen, it's OK.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56It's good when you find somewhere you love.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58We can start living.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01- I ain't touching you, God.- OK!
0:15:01 > 0:15:06Right, I'm going to get tissues and then let's talk about price.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08And then let's maybe grab a cuppa after that as well.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10Come on.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16After an emotional reaction,
0:15:16 > 0:15:20what better place to take a deep breath and pause for thought than in
0:15:20 > 0:15:24this beautiful and well-stocked country garden?
0:15:24 > 0:15:26Peter, can you see Karen feeling right at home here because she loves
0:15:26 > 0:15:30- gardening?- Yeah, that's her life, gardening.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33- Perfect.- Yeah. It's gorgeous. - Yeah.- It really is.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36Yeah, I don't know why they want to move really.
0:15:36 > 0:15:37It's just so gorgeous.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39From every angle, isn't it?
0:15:39 > 0:15:41Let's talk about price.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45What do you think this property, this wraparound garden,
0:15:45 > 0:15:49these outbuildings are all on the market for?
0:15:49 > 0:15:53Well, I think it is going to be at the top end of our budget
0:15:53 > 0:15:55and I would say 485.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58- Yeah.- Karen, what do you think it's on the market for?
0:15:58 > 0:16:03- Yeah, I was going to say 490. - This property, which you love,
0:16:03 > 0:16:09is on the market for £447,500.
0:16:09 > 0:16:14Well, now you know the price, go and have another look round,
0:16:14 > 0:16:15especially those outbuildings,
0:16:15 > 0:16:18see what you think you could turn them into.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20I'll let you go exploring, now you know the news about the price.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22Yeah, thank you.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26Price, music to their ears.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28Will I be helping them unpack shortly? We'll see.
0:16:30 > 0:16:34Coming in more than £50,000 below budget,
0:16:34 > 0:16:38this 1900s Welsh Borders cottage comes with a large kitchen
0:16:38 > 0:16:40opening into a sunroom, three bedrooms
0:16:40 > 0:16:43and outside there are mature wraparound gardens,
0:16:43 > 0:16:48plus three former stable blocks that offers scope for a project.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51Oh, this would be gorgeous for breakfast.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53- Yeah.- But the sun coming in and...
0:16:53 > 0:16:56The only problem is, you come down here for breakfast,
0:16:56 > 0:16:59you won't want to go back to Bristol.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03When we walked up the drive, it was beautiful.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06The peace and quiet just hit me straight away
0:17:06 > 0:17:09and then you sort of walked in and it was,
0:17:09 > 0:17:11"Oh, my God, I can't believe it."
0:17:11 > 0:17:15You just got this lovely, warm, cosy feeling.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18It doesn't need to sell itself any more, it's already sold.
0:17:18 > 0:17:22This house is everything that we want.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25Nice size, perfect for us, little bit of work we could do,
0:17:25 > 0:17:27a few little projects.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29This could be the one.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33- Have you seen enough? - Yeah.- Yes.- Good look round?
0:17:33 > 0:17:36- Yeah. Yeah.- Do we stop the search right now?
0:17:38 > 0:17:41Well, I still have another fantastic property to show you and, of course,
0:17:41 > 0:17:43the Mystery House, so more adventures to come.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45- BOTH:- Yeah. - You ready?
0:17:45 > 0:17:47- Yes.- OK.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54The landscape of the Welsh Borders includes
0:17:54 > 0:17:56the verdant hills of Monmouthshire.
0:17:56 > 0:18:00This beautiful natural idyll with its affordable property
0:18:00 > 0:18:05prices has much to offer would be escapees after a more rural lifestyle.
0:18:05 > 0:18:09Olwen and Richard Vievers decided to move here from Gloucestershire
0:18:09 > 0:18:1328 years ago, setting up a small sheep farming business
0:18:13 > 0:18:15in the foothills of the Black Mountains.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19As Peter and Karen are hoping to make their own move here soon,
0:18:19 > 0:18:22they have a few questions about what to expect.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25You've done exactly what we want to do.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27You're living our dream.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29How did you find me people, the local people
0:18:29 > 0:18:31when you first came over? Were they friendly?
0:18:31 > 0:18:34I mean, the first year I was here everybody local,
0:18:34 > 0:18:36whenever they saw me, it was, you know, "How you getting on?
0:18:36 > 0:18:37"Are you liking it?" You know,
0:18:37 > 0:18:40they were very keen that we should actually like the area.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43Our two neighbouring farmers have been very helpful
0:18:43 > 0:18:45right from the start so we find that useful.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48I mean, sometimes you had emergencies when Richard would be
0:18:48 > 0:18:51at work and something went wrong on the farm with the livestock,
0:18:51 > 0:18:54all I had to do was lift the phone to my neighbour and as soon as he'd
0:18:54 > 0:18:56finished milking he'd be down here.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58And if he couldn't sort it,
0:18:58 > 0:19:01he'd put you on the phone and another one of his friends
0:19:01 > 0:19:03from the next farm would come.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06Sheep farming is on the rise in Wales once more,
0:19:06 > 0:19:09with a record ten million sheep now in the country,
0:19:09 > 0:19:12more than three times the human population.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16Olwen and Richard's small grass land-holding has just 40.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20Their speciality is breeds producing naturally coloured wool,
0:19:20 > 0:19:23which they sell to hand spinners and felt makers.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25What type of sheep have you got?
0:19:25 > 0:19:27Mostly in this field I've got Corriedales
0:19:27 > 0:19:31but I've got a blue faced Leicester cross and a Romney sheep.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35It's normally a white breed of sheep but they have recessive coloured
0:19:35 > 0:19:39lambs sometimes so you can breed all sorts of different colours.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43Olwen chose Corriedales, a breed that originated in the Antipodes,
0:19:43 > 0:19:47for their particularly fine fleeces in a variety of naturally occurring
0:19:47 > 0:19:51colours. They also lamb relatively easily -
0:19:51 > 0:19:54an important factor for these novice sheep farmers.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58The lambs are small compared to the size of the ewe when they're born.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01So they come out really nice and easily.
0:20:01 > 0:20:06Neighbouring farmer Nick Wellington takes on the job of shearing
0:20:06 > 0:20:08Richard and Olwen's flock.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12The males are shorn around late Spring and early summer and today,
0:20:12 > 0:20:15Nick is going to show our couple exactly how it's done.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20Now, the art of shearing isn't what you do with your hands,
0:20:20 > 0:20:23it's what you do with your feet. You dance.
0:20:23 > 0:20:24Pop your shoes.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28That's what they're specially made for. So I don't actually...
0:20:28 > 0:20:32Bottom of your feet, earth-side, the shoes are flat, if you look at this one so you can...
0:20:32 > 0:20:35I can rock. That's how I do that.
0:20:35 > 0:20:39Each sheep produces up to three kilos of wool a year.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43The females are shorn in December the plan isn't to dye their wool,
0:20:43 > 0:20:46so this is when the coats are usually at their cleanest.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49Olwen picks the fleeces over for vegetable matter
0:20:49 > 0:20:51before folding them up.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53There's a routine way.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55You always fold them in the same way.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57It's always, you roll the sides in
0:20:57 > 0:21:00and then you fetch the other side over.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05And you can feel the lovely grease in there.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09You just can't believe I've just come from the sheep and it's...
0:21:09 > 0:21:11It's all ready, isn't it?
0:21:11 > 0:21:13Much of the fleece is sold,
0:21:13 > 0:21:16but Olwen saves some to craft beautiful pieces, including rugs,
0:21:16 > 0:21:18bags and toys.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21Well, it's clever stuff, isn't it, sheep?
0:21:21 > 0:21:23They eat grass and they make lovely, soft wool.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27It seems Karen and Peter may be dyed in the wool converts to life
0:21:27 > 0:21:28in the Welsh Borders.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32So let's turn our attention back to their property search.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38We're heading over to Wales,
0:21:38 > 0:21:41and the village of Llandegfed in Monmouthshire.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44The small town of Usk, with a range of shops and services,
0:21:44 > 0:21:46is a six mile drive away.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49Sitting across a river of the same name,
0:21:49 > 0:21:54Usk is thought to mean "abounding in fish" a fact attested to by some of
0:21:54 > 0:21:56the local drinking establishments.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59But back on the outskirts of Llangdegfed,
0:21:59 > 0:22:03in a quiet valley setting, we find our second house.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06So here we are at property two.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08Now, the original part of this property,
0:22:08 > 0:22:11as you can see on the left-hand side, was a two up two down,
0:22:11 > 0:22:16built in the early 1800s and it was extended some 30-40 years ago
0:22:16 > 0:22:19on the right-hand side. First impressions?
0:22:19 > 0:22:22- What do you think? - It's not a bad house.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25It looks a bit like two houses joined together to me.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28But...see what it looks like inside and...
0:22:28 > 0:22:30Yeah. Nice and quiet.
0:22:30 > 0:22:31Shall we go inside, take a look?
0:22:31 > 0:22:33Yeah, thank you.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38The original early 19th-century stone built part of this cottage
0:22:38 > 0:22:42has been rendered to unify it with a modern extension,
0:22:42 > 0:22:45and it's an entrance hall in the newer wing that leads us into
0:22:45 > 0:22:47the large kitchen.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51- Nice, big breakfast-diner. - Yes, nice and light.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53Will this work, to have the grandkids running around here?
0:22:53 > 0:22:55Yeah, yeah, very nice.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59Yeah. Your island in the middle that you've always wanted.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03- Nice size.- A kitchen's always a communal area in our house.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06So this is good, because you'd have the table there as well,
0:23:06 > 0:23:07wouldn't you, to sit down?
0:23:07 > 0:23:10And you love your garden so that opening up onto the garden...
0:23:10 > 0:23:12Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, lovely.
0:23:12 > 0:23:13More of the house to see.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15Follow me.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20Next to the kitchen, there's a handy washroom and utility space whilst,
0:23:20 > 0:23:23back across the hall in the older part of the home,
0:23:23 > 0:23:26we find a welcoming reception room.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29So this was the part that was built in the early 1800s.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31Cosy, all cosy and warm.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34- Yeah.- Looks like it's just been done.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37Yeah, the whole house has been refurbished in the last four years.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41It's all been painted, decorated, new wiring's gone in.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43You've got your lovely wood burner.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46- Yeah.- Ooh!- I can picture us in here, can you?
0:23:46 > 0:23:49Mmm. It doesn't do it for me.
0:23:49 > 0:23:50It just doesn't do it.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53It's just personal preference, isn't it?
0:23:53 > 0:23:55Well, there's still more of the house to see and we've got
0:23:55 > 0:23:58the garden space to explore as well so, Pete, if I let you lead the way?
0:23:58 > 0:23:59Let's head upstairs.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02Karen's clearly not yet convinced,
0:24:02 > 0:24:05but this home does offer everything on their wish list.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09Upstairs, the three-bedroomed accommodation is served by
0:24:09 > 0:24:11a family bathroom with freestanding bath tub
0:24:11 > 0:24:15and separate shower and an outlook over fields.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18The first of the guest bedrooms is large enough for a double
0:24:18 > 0:24:22and has two windows on one aspect and a third on another.
0:24:22 > 0:24:27There's also a smaller guest bedroom which makes the most of the space.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29Then, along a generous landing,
0:24:29 > 0:24:33we find a third and largest bedroom which could be Peter and Karen's.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36And then into the master bedroom,
0:24:36 > 0:24:38which has fantastic views.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40You can literally wake up,
0:24:40 > 0:24:43look out and watch the sheep grazing first thing in the morning.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45Yeah, it's a good size.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47Built-in storage is always a good thing.
0:24:47 > 0:24:51Nice shaped ceilings. I like things that are a bit different.
0:24:51 > 0:24:55So, I'm sensing you like this house but that perhaps part of us is still
0:24:55 > 0:24:58- in house one. - Yeah, this is still a nice house...
0:24:58 > 0:25:01- Oh, yeah. - Well, let's explore the gardens.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03There's still a bit more to see of this property.
0:25:03 > 0:25:07And then I get the feeling we'll have a lot more to talk about.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11So there's all the accommodation they've asked for on the inside
0:25:11 > 0:25:13and outside, the good-sized garden
0:25:13 > 0:25:16includes large areas of lawn, as well as
0:25:16 > 0:25:19pleasantly positioned patio seating which makes the most
0:25:19 > 0:25:22of the countryside views.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25To the rear of the home, French doors open out from the kitchen,
0:25:25 > 0:25:29plus there's a large timber outbuilding and a working well.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32It's the first house we've been, we've actually seen a working well.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34Yeah, you've always wanted one of those.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37- Always, yeah.- And you wanted somewhere nice and rural
0:25:37 > 0:25:39and we can really see in the garden, we got the horses here,
0:25:39 > 0:25:41the sheep on the other side.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43Yeah, you're not overlooked, which is important.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46What do you think this property's on the market for?
0:25:46 > 0:25:49I wouldn't put it any more than 400,000.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53- Peter?- I would say more than that.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55430,000.
0:25:55 > 0:26:00This property is currently on the market for £445,000.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03- Oh.- So, Peter, you were closest on this one.
0:26:03 > 0:26:05- Yeah, yeah.- Now you know the price,
0:26:05 > 0:26:08why don't you have another look round and we'll catch up in a bit?
0:26:08 > 0:26:10Yeah, lovely, thank you.
0:26:12 > 0:26:17Once again, significantly below Peter and Karen's £500,000 budget,
0:26:17 > 0:26:21this extended early 19th-century cottage has a large kitchen-diner,
0:26:21 > 0:26:24wood-burning stove and three bedrooms.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27There's a timber outbuilding and a working well.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30And it's all in a very quiet valley location.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33If you like, this is a
0:26:33 > 0:26:35music sort of room, you could put the sofa down there.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38Yeah. Yeah, we've got one that fits, haven't we?
0:26:38 > 0:26:41- Yeah.- And when the grandchildren, round, they can sleep on there.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44- Yeah, that's good. - The house is nice.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47Nothing needs to be done on the house.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49Yeah, this could definitely be a contender.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51It is a nice house.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55It could be made to how we wanted it.
0:26:55 > 0:26:59But I didn't have this feeling when I walked in.
0:26:59 > 0:27:04Seeing this has cemented how we need to go back to the other property.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06We fell in love with the first property.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08So property two's offering lots,
0:27:08 > 0:27:12but I still think property one's on their minds.
0:27:12 > 0:27:14Hello!
0:27:14 > 0:27:18You've had a good look around the whole property now, and the gardens.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20And we've still got, at the end of day one,
0:27:20 > 0:27:22we've got the Mystery House to go in the morning,
0:27:22 > 0:27:25and I feel we've got lots to talk about, haven't we?
0:27:25 > 0:27:26Yeah.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28Lots to sleep on tonight and think about.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32Yeah. Be fresh for tomorrow, looking forward to the Mystery House.
0:27:32 > 0:27:36- Can't imagine what it's going to be. - Well... Tomorrow is another day!
0:27:36 > 0:27:37- Yeah.- Yeah, yeah,
0:27:50 > 0:27:53We're in the beautiful southern Welsh Borders
0:27:53 > 0:27:54helping Peter and Karen from
0:27:54 > 0:28:00Bristol find their dream rural retreat with a budget of £500,000.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03One of our properties has already brought a tear to the eye,
0:28:03 > 0:28:05but there's still the Mystery House to come.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08We've got the best of everything here.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10We've got the water, you got the peace.
0:28:10 > 0:28:12Yeah, really good feel about it.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15Plus, I'm drumming up interest in traditional music
0:28:15 > 0:28:17in the Welsh part of the region.
0:28:17 > 0:28:19Oh! Ha-ha!
0:28:19 > 0:28:22That's gorgeous. I love that.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27It's a very exciting morning here in the Welsh Borders
0:28:27 > 0:28:30after an incredible day of house-hunting yesterday
0:28:30 > 0:28:33and a very emotional connection to property one
0:28:33 > 0:28:35from my house-buyers Peter and Karen.
0:28:35 > 0:28:40So much so that, yesterday, they put in an offer on house one.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43So where does that leave us today with the Mystery House?
0:28:43 > 0:28:46Well, that offer has yet to be accepted,
0:28:46 > 0:28:48so there's everything to play for.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55So what do you think you're going to see in the Mystery House today?
0:28:55 > 0:29:00I think it's going to be something that needs work doing.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03I can imagine it'll be run down a little bit.
0:29:03 > 0:29:05Something bought newish, or...
0:29:05 > 0:29:08We haven't seen anything that's really new, have we?
0:29:08 > 0:29:11So, Peter, you're thinking it could be a ruin and Karen,
0:29:11 > 0:29:14you're thinking it could be totally brand-new?
0:29:14 > 0:29:16THEY LAUGH
0:29:17 > 0:29:19- It's a mystery!- Yeah.
0:29:22 > 0:29:27Our mystery offering is in the Monmouthshire village of Whitebrook.
0:29:27 > 0:29:29Located along a pretty waterway,
0:29:29 > 0:29:33as well as providing the village with a name, until the 19th century,
0:29:33 > 0:29:37this was the source of an intensive, water-powered milling industry.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40In the early 1700s it became really famous for its paper mills.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43In fact the church, the Holy Trinity Church which we passed,
0:29:43 > 0:29:47was built in 1835 to serve the mill community.
0:29:47 > 0:29:51It's an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, not far from the River Wye,
0:29:51 > 0:29:55got a lovely, fine dining restaurant on what would be your doorstep,
0:29:55 > 0:29:59because this is the village that is home to the Mystery House.
0:29:59 > 0:30:00We've never been here before.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03Never, ever, have we? We've just never gone on this road.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06- So, yeah.- This little path here is the path
0:30:06 > 0:30:11- that leads towards the Mystery House.- No!- Come this way!
0:30:14 > 0:30:17A short distance down a single-track private road,
0:30:17 > 0:30:20our Mystery House is an 18th-century reminder
0:30:20 > 0:30:23of the area's milling history.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25It's a former watermill.
0:30:25 > 0:30:27Lovely sound of running water.
0:30:27 > 0:30:29Total seclusion here.
0:30:29 > 0:30:32- Yeah.- Looks interesting. - So pretty.
0:30:32 > 0:30:34Got the best of everything here.
0:30:34 > 0:30:36You've got the water, you've got the peace.
0:30:36 > 0:30:38Yeah, really good feel about it.
0:30:38 > 0:30:40Yeah, I've got a good feel about it.
0:30:40 > 0:30:42Can't wait to see what's up there.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45- No, yeah.- Let's not waste any time. Let's get straight in.
0:30:45 > 0:30:46Yeah, lovely.
0:30:46 > 0:30:50Built in the 1700s, the conversion to a home was completed in 2013.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54Arranged over a total of four floors,
0:30:54 > 0:30:58double doors on the ground floor lead into the kitchen-diner.
0:30:58 > 0:31:02Then the floor above is dedicated to the main reception room,
0:31:02 > 0:31:04which we're reaching via stone stairs
0:31:04 > 0:31:07on the outside of the building to start our tour.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09So, in you come.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14Different, yeah. Looks like a picture on there with those...
0:31:14 > 0:31:18I know. Every window looks like a view outside's been painted.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21- It's so gorgeous.- Yeah. - And the room size?
0:31:21 > 0:31:23- Perfect, perfect.- Yeah, yeah.
0:31:23 > 0:31:27Didn't expect this from the outside, to walk into the lounge.
0:31:27 > 0:31:31- Peter, can you imagine sitting here in the evening in front of your wood burner?- Definitely.
0:31:31 > 0:31:35It takes that of getting used to, doesn't it, because it's so different?
0:31:35 > 0:31:38It's a bit of a shock, really, when you come in, and...
0:31:38 > 0:31:41Well, let's see more. Let's head down to the kitchen.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45The ground floor can be accessed straight from the driveway
0:31:45 > 0:31:49via double doors, but we're taking the internal stairs
0:31:49 > 0:31:52down into the country kitchen-diner.
0:31:52 > 0:31:54Oh, that's lovely.
0:31:54 > 0:31:57Yeah, that is beautiful.
0:31:57 > 0:31:58- Yeah.- I like this.
0:31:58 > 0:32:03Nice farmhouse table for you to gather the clan around.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06I'd say, to be quite honest, this is ten out of ten.
0:32:06 > 0:32:08- Yes.- So when you're cooking away,
0:32:08 > 0:32:11or first thing in the morning making that cuppa,
0:32:11 > 0:32:14and then you've got the doors out, and there's the water.
0:32:14 > 0:32:17The thing I love most about this room is,
0:32:17 > 0:32:19you can hear the sound of the water.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22Only thing I'd probably be a bit worried about is,
0:32:22 > 0:32:24there's no downstairs toilet.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26Well, you've got a plumber on hand.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29I think I know a very good plumber that might be able to sort that for
0:32:29 > 0:32:31you! Ten out of ten so far,
0:32:31 > 0:32:34and we've only seen two of your four floors.
0:32:34 > 0:32:37- Let me show you the way to the rest of the house.- Lovely.
0:32:39 > 0:32:44The three-bedroomed accommodation is arranged over the top two floors.
0:32:44 > 0:32:48On the uppermost floor is a large attic bedroom with en suite bathroom
0:32:48 > 0:32:52on the floor below this there's the family bathroom.
0:32:52 > 0:32:57Next to which there is the smallest bedroom, currently used as a study,
0:32:57 > 0:33:00whilst Peter and Karen might choose to use the third and largest bedroom
0:33:00 > 0:33:02as their own.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06And into what could be your master bedroom.
0:33:06 > 0:33:10Lovely view, first thing in the morning on one side
0:33:10 > 0:33:14- and then to your garden on the other.- Oh, very nice.
0:33:14 > 0:33:16Our bedroom furniture would go right in here, wouldn't it?
0:33:16 > 0:33:18It flows really well.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21Yes. Good. I think the rooms are very big, aren't they?
0:33:21 > 0:33:22Which is nice.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25I don't know. It's a beautiful place,
0:33:25 > 0:33:27but it feels more like a place you'd go
0:33:27 > 0:33:30and spend a week's holiday or something.
0:33:30 > 0:33:32Well, let's explore more and, of course,
0:33:32 > 0:33:35the garden which I know is of particular interest to you.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37And we've also got to talk price.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40- Yeah.- So, let me show you the way.- Lovely.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45Some very positive reactions from both Peter
0:33:45 > 0:33:48and Karen to aspects of this home's interior.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51But I've yet to show them the gardens which,
0:33:51 > 0:33:52arranged over two levels,
0:33:52 > 0:33:57include a stream, a wooded backdrop as well as a raised stone sun terrace,
0:33:57 > 0:34:00timber outbuilding and areas of lawn.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03Karen, I'm thinking this could be a real project for you.
0:34:03 > 0:34:05Yeah, this definitely would be a project.
0:34:05 > 0:34:07Lots of scope for what we could do.
0:34:07 > 0:34:12Yes. I mean, I've always wanted a natural wild flower garden.
0:34:12 > 0:34:14I would definitely do that here.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16Time to talk about price.
0:34:16 > 0:34:21What do you think this property and these gardens are on the market for?
0:34:21 > 0:34:24I think it's 465,000.
0:34:24 > 0:34:26Oh, that's what I was going to say!
0:34:26 > 0:34:30I will go 460.
0:34:31 > 0:34:39This Mystery House is currently on the market for £450,000.
0:34:39 > 0:34:40THEY LAUGH
0:34:40 > 0:34:43Good job I went lower, then.
0:34:43 > 0:34:45- And a lot of house for your money. - Yeah. Yeah, it is a lot.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48Why don't you have another round now that you know what the property
0:34:48 > 0:34:50- is on the market for?- OK.
0:34:50 > 0:34:52And, well, we've got a lot to talk about later.
0:34:52 > 0:34:54Yeah. Lovely. OK.
0:34:56 > 0:35:00Once again leaving £50,000 to spare in their budget,
0:35:00 > 0:35:04this 18th century mill conversion could give Peter and Karen
0:35:04 > 0:35:07a stunning and spacious country kitchen,
0:35:07 > 0:35:10a further generous reception room and three bedrooms,
0:35:10 > 0:35:12including an en-suite.
0:35:12 > 0:35:16It's in a peaceful waterside location which is part
0:35:16 > 0:35:19of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
0:35:19 > 0:35:23Can't fault the house, lovely property.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26I would still give it ten out of ten.
0:35:26 > 0:35:31It's done beautifully, neutral colours, woodwork's amazing in there,
0:35:31 > 0:35:33the kitchen's gorgeous.
0:35:33 > 0:35:35I love the house. It's got character.
0:35:35 > 0:35:37Love the garden.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40But, to me, I just think it's too big for us.
0:35:40 > 0:35:44A property with bags of character, a bit of a project with the garden,
0:35:44 > 0:35:47maybe a flight of stairs too many, maybe?
0:35:47 > 0:35:50Hi! Have you had a good look round, then?
0:35:50 > 0:35:54- Yeah.- Is it time for a cup of tea or a glass of wine, maybe?
0:35:54 > 0:35:57- Sounds good.- And a bit of a chat about where we go from here.
0:35:57 > 0:35:59- Yeah.- OK, lovely.
0:36:05 > 0:36:09The culture of the Welsh Borders is a fascinating mix of both English
0:36:09 > 0:36:11and Welsh traditions.
0:36:11 > 0:36:15Whilst some customs on the Welsh side have historically struggled
0:36:15 > 0:36:19against enforced Anglicisation and the spread of the Methodist Church,
0:36:19 > 0:36:24recent years have seen a strong will to revive all things Cymraeg,
0:36:24 > 0:36:26or Welsh.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29In Monmouthshire, the magnificent Tredegar House,
0:36:29 > 0:36:31now in the hands of the National Trust,
0:36:31 > 0:36:35has been home to makers of traditional Welsh folk instruments
0:36:35 > 0:36:38for over 30 years. I'm meeting Marcus Butler,
0:36:38 > 0:36:42the man at the forefront of the musical craft revival.
0:36:42 > 0:36:45Marcus, you work in such an inspiring place.
0:36:45 > 0:36:47What instruments do you actually make here?
0:36:47 > 0:36:52Well, we make early percussion instruments of several periods.
0:36:52 > 0:36:56We make concertinas, we make some small harps as well.
0:36:56 > 0:37:00We really turn our hand to any request if we think we can do it.
0:37:00 > 0:37:03Where do you learn these skills from?
0:37:03 > 0:37:07I bought an old concertina from an antique shop
0:37:07 > 0:37:10and pulled it to pieces,
0:37:10 > 0:37:13looked at it, thought, "I could do that", and so I did.
0:37:13 > 0:37:17What makes you so passionate about traditional Welsh music?
0:37:17 > 0:37:20It plucks at the heartstrings.
0:37:20 > 0:37:23If it makes you cry, it must be good music.
0:37:23 > 0:37:25It just gets inside you.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28There's more Welsh music now than there ever was,
0:37:28 > 0:37:31which is a move forward in my view.
0:37:31 > 0:37:36Marcus now works with a team of three Artisan instrument makers.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39David Cox is showing me how they make the traditional Welsh drum,
0:37:39 > 0:37:42or tabwrdd, to a centuries-old design
0:37:42 > 0:37:44found nowhere else in the world.
0:37:44 > 0:37:48So how do we know this is how the drum was always traditionally made?
0:37:48 > 0:37:54The drawings were discovered by the Rev Meredith Morris from the Cwmbran
0:37:54 > 0:37:59Valley. He was a traditional Welsh maker, round about the 1920s,
0:37:59 > 0:38:03something like that, but these go back to about 1400.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06So this is a real bit of traditional Welsh history here.
0:38:06 > 0:38:10- Absolutely, yeah. - These drawings only resurfaced
0:38:10 > 0:38:14around a decade ago but are now thought to be identical in design
0:38:14 > 0:38:16to the drums used in the time of
0:38:16 > 0:38:20Owain Glyndwr, the last native Welshman to hold the title,
0:38:20 > 0:38:23Prince of Wales, in the 15th century.
0:38:23 > 0:38:27Well, basically, this is what we call the shell of the drum,
0:38:27 > 0:38:30or the barrel. These days we use birch ply,
0:38:30 > 0:38:32which is a high quality plywood,
0:38:32 > 0:38:36for drum making. It's got a natural bend in it.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38Oh, wow.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40Once the plywood is cut and glued,
0:38:40 > 0:38:43hoops made from steamed strips of locally sourced ash
0:38:43 > 0:38:46are used to affix a circle of cut goatskin
0:38:46 > 0:38:50- in a process called lapping. - It's what we call a tucking knife.
0:38:50 > 0:38:55So if you get that excess skin and then, with the end of the knife,
0:38:55 > 0:38:58just tuck it underneath the flesh.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01Don't be afraid of it. Just push it in there, that's it.
0:39:01 > 0:39:02Keep on going.
0:39:02 > 0:39:05- I'm just checking I'm doing this right.- Yeah.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08That's ripping it apart off there!
0:39:08 > 0:39:09THEY LAUGH
0:39:12 > 0:39:14These drums are double skinned,
0:39:14 > 0:39:18meaning there's a drumming surface on both the top and the bottom.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20It takes around two days to complete a drum.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23The larger the size, the deeper the pitch.
0:39:23 > 0:39:28This one will sell for around £250 with musicians from all corners
0:39:28 > 0:39:31of the globe seeking out its resonant tone.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35It's probably the sort of natural,
0:39:35 > 0:39:37earthy sound that you get from these type of skins.
0:39:37 > 0:39:41This sort of sound would have been heard through the valleys
0:39:41 > 0:39:43and villages all over Wales.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46This tradition has to live on, you know.
0:39:46 > 0:39:48Especially the traditional tabwrdd,
0:39:48 > 0:39:50we're probably the only maker in the world.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53I wouldn't say a dying art, but it's an art
0:39:53 > 0:39:55that we want to carry on and pass on.
0:39:55 > 0:40:00The barrel and hoops are assembled and tensioned together using rope.
0:40:00 > 0:40:04That's a natural, traditional hemp rope.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07It's similar to what would've been used in the 1400s.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10And then you'll end up with something like that.
0:40:10 > 0:40:14And that is a complete traditional Welsh tabwrdd.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17- Well, if...- OK, go for it. - If I can, really?
0:40:17 > 0:40:21- Go for it.- Oh! Ha-ha! That's gorgeous!
0:40:21 > 0:40:23I love that.
0:40:23 > 0:40:25I'm not quite beating my own drum,
0:40:25 > 0:40:29but I am getting to join in with a traditional Welsh jig
0:40:29 > 0:40:32called Helar's Ysgfarnog, or Hunting The Hare.
0:40:32 > 0:40:34JIG PLAYS
0:40:41 > 0:40:44Now to see if any of our houses are singing from the same song sheet
0:40:44 > 0:40:49as Karen and Peter's property wish list here in the Welsh Borders.
0:40:51 > 0:40:55Well, now, Karen and Peter have seen all our properties and with that
0:40:55 > 0:41:00offer in on house one, I just can't wait to find out the latest news.
0:41:07 > 0:41:10Well, we're at the end of a couple of great days of searching.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12- Yeah.- How're you feeling?
0:41:12 > 0:41:17- Good.- And you kind of fell in love with house one on the first day.
0:41:17 > 0:41:21What was it about that house that was just so special?
0:41:21 > 0:41:23From the outside, it looked perfect.
0:41:23 > 0:41:27Everything about it. I kept saying, I give it ten out of ten.
0:41:27 > 0:41:29It had that feel about it.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32You know, don't you, when you walk in and open the door,
0:41:32 > 0:41:35and it's, like, uh-oh, it's got something, you know?
0:41:35 > 0:41:40The picture - us being there with our family, grandchildren.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43I always said, if a house brings me to tears then that's got to be the
0:41:43 > 0:41:47- right house. I just couldn't help it.- Dying to ask.
0:41:47 > 0:41:48You put an offer in.
0:41:48 > 0:41:51Yeah. We put an offer in and they refused.
0:41:51 > 0:41:55We went back with another offer and they accepted.
0:41:55 > 0:41:59Really? Oh, my God! I'm so happy!
0:41:59 > 0:42:02Yay! We're moving!
0:42:02 > 0:42:05- Oh, congratulations. - Thank you, thank you.
0:42:05 > 0:42:08It has been a joy to be on this journey with you
0:42:08 > 0:42:11- and I am so glad we found you a new home.- Yeah.
0:42:11 > 0:42:13We've thoroughly enjoyed it.
0:42:13 > 0:42:17It's been one of the best things we've ever had happened to us.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20It's... It'll live with us for ever, won't it?
0:42:20 > 0:42:22Peter, will you do the honours of opening the champagne?
0:42:22 > 0:42:26I think this is called for at the end of our adventure here.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29THEY LAUGH
0:42:29 > 0:42:33Oh, fantastic. To a new home.
0:42:33 > 0:42:35- ALL:- Cheers.
0:42:39 > 0:42:43We showed Karen and Peter three fantastic properties and,
0:42:43 > 0:42:46after the first one won their hearts,
0:42:46 > 0:42:49I'm so glad to hear their offer has been accepted and this gorgeous
0:42:49 > 0:42:52corner of the world will soon be their new home.
0:42:52 > 0:42:55We'll see you next time on Escape To The Country.
0:42:57 > 0:42:59If you would like to escape to the country
0:42:59 > 0:43:02in England, Northern Ireland, Wales or Scotland
0:43:02 > 0:43:05and need our help, you can apply online at...